BKS1 Radio Network

As the world stopped today to watch the funeral of Whitney Houston many controversies still circle. One main topic of late that has caused furious debates is the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christies order to fly the American Flag at half staff in honor of Whitney Houston. The fiery subject has many burning with disagreement stating that this honor should only be for fallen solders and Presidents. There are others that embrace the honor and believe it’s a just fitting tribute to our beloved songstress that struck a cord and enhance the lives of many throughout the world.

Tonight on www.bks1radio.com we discuss this issue and listen to both sides as you share your reasons to support or not support lowering the American Flag at half staff for Whitney Houston. A hot topic tonight “Live in the Vocal Booth”

Special Guest: The ultimate soul crooner Lenny Williams

The ultimate soul crooner, Oakland, California native Lenny Williams possesses one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. With his rich, passionate vocal style, he is rightfully regarded as one of R & B’s most influential soul men. Williams began his musical career making records that have subsequently become R & B and Pop classics, tunes like the mega-hit “Cause I Love You” (recorded on his solo album) and “So Very Hard To Go,” which he recorded as the lead singer for Tower of Power. Lenny Williams' style has transcended into the new millennium, influencing many of today’s newest R & B and Pop vocalists.

Now......Over the past few years, Lenny has continued his solo career, touring the US, Europe and South Africa. In 2004 and 2005, Lenny and Kanye West were honored recipients of the BMI Songwriter’s Award for the song “Over Night Celebrity,” recorded by rapper Twista. He has recently shared stages with Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, K-Jon, Anthony Hamilton, The Whispers, Rick James, Boney James, Bobby Womack, The Ohio Players, Al Green, Usher and Frankie Beverly and Maze. Lenny has also expanded his multi-dimensional career to include acting, starring in several popular stage plays. As an icon of the past and the present, Lenny Williams continues to expand his musical prowess and flex his newly-found acting skills. He is sure to continue wowing his fans in the United States and beyond for decades to come.

“I’m going to continue to evolve and grow as I learn and experiment lyrically and musically. I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I’ve been watching all of the changes going on in the music business. I have my own label now (Bridle Ridge Records). Let me do my thing,” Lenny says. Yes, indeed, music lovers everywhere want him to do those things that he is the musical master of. Like a flowering perennial, prolific soul man Lenny Williams is always prepared for the spotlight that he belongs in.

Tonight’s Best Kept Secret: Areal Star

Areal Star was born on June 6, 1991 in Beaumont, Tx. She was a high school cheerleader and was part of the hip-hop dance crew for 3 yrs. She performed in talent shows, singing and dancing to fine tune her craft. She started singing at the age of 10 yrs old, in both the church and school choir. She knew that music would be her greatest love.

This Edition of LIVE In The Vocal Booth Show we rate and review along with YOU the listener Allen Stone's new release "Allen Stone"

Here is our rating system:
5 Stars: It's blazing hot – on fire 
4 Stars: It's a hot song – pump it up
3 Stars: It's alright-good song
2 Stars: Thanks for the album cut-what's next
1 Stars: I won't tell nobody about that if you don't…lets keep that a secret

Allen Stone | Allen Stone

From backwoods barbecues and community gatherings; Allen Stone emerges to share personal melodies, telling his tales of life after just 24 years. Getting his start singing at his father's church in small-town America; it wasn't until later when introduced to the greats of soul music (Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin) and then to the confessional lyrical fashion of the 60's -70's singer/ songwriters, did music begin to ignite intense passion, eventually carrying this boy to a musical home.

On his self-titled sophomore album - an independent self-release which hit digital shelves October 4, Allen has pushed his sound and lyricism to a greater level of noted individuality. It touches upon a range of styles and themes. Integrating classic soul, catchy pop hooks, r&b beats and folk roots with lyrical matters of testimonial broken relationships, poisonous politics and the age-old topic of simple, pure celebration. Stone's music is notable for his finely crafted evocative songs and a fresh, smooth, soul-filled voice-one that certainly belies his age.

Allen Stone has shot up the R&B/Soul charts on iTunes, peaking at the number 2 spot, and hit #29 and #62 on the Billboard Heatseekers and R&B/Hip Hop Album charts, respectively, and has garnered national praise - USA Today called him a "pitch-perfect powerhouse" - all without any support of a label, publisher, or publicist.

Tonight's Topic: Welfare Reform

In today economy there are thousands of people being put on welfare every day. Some from job layoffs and company's just going belly up and closing down. The people who have paid into the welfare system all their lives get treated like the one who treat welfare as a job. Should the same rules apply to everyone? Welfare reform has been a topic of conversation for some time now. Now is the time for change. Some states have adopted mandatory drug testing for all new applicants. Is this new law fair or is it discriminating against people with a problem. Should you be able to use the taxpaying citizens’ money to support your bad habits?

Let's talk about it tonight on live in The Vocal Booth.

Tonight's Best Kept Secret: Tyrell Willis

If you're hearing about a missing child on the news, more than likely, they are white. Little do most of us know that over one-third of the missing are African-American. The media shows little to no attention to our missing black children and police do not consider it a higher priority when the focus is on a black child, but things are finally taking a turn. TV One has produced a 10-part series, entitled "Finding Our Missing", with a focus on young missing blacks who didn't get the proper media attention they deserved in order to bring them home. Tonight, we here at BKS1 Radio are playing our part. We are shining a spotlight on why this continues to happen to our loved ones, as well as specific stories that you may be able to help solve. This problem can no longer be ignored. Let's do our part, tonight on "Live in the Vocal Booth".